Foreword

I am extremely happy to know that the book ‘Biological Control for Plant Protection: Recent Advances in Research and Sustainability’ is being published by Bentham Science Publishers, UAE. I feel delighted to congratulate the editorial team of Dr. Sonika Sharma (DAV University, Jalandhar), Dr. Talwinder Kaur (Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar), Dr. Ashutosh Sharma (DAV University, Jalandhar), and Dr. Bahaderjeet Singh (Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo) for the conceptualization and compilation of this important book on the eco-friendly and sustainable approaches to plant protection in field crops. A sizeable proportion of our agricultural production is reduced by competing organisms, which include insect pests, plant pathogens, and weeds. Further, some insect pests also cause significant post-harvest losses. To ensure global food security, it is important to reduce the potential damage due to weeds, insect pests, and plant pathogens. To increase productivity by reducing the competition with weeds or the damage by insect pests and pathogens is need of the hour. The conventional methods of controlling weeds and pests through chemicals have environmental and human health concerns. In recent years, a wealth of useful information has been accumulated about the biological control of these problems in an eco-friendly manner, and some of the biocontrol formulations have also been commercialized. The present book covers a range of topics from the viewpoint of biocontrol of weeds, insect pests, nematodes, and other plant pathogens. Further, the role of botanicals and specific microbes like actinobacteria and Alternaria spp. have also been discussed in detail. The role of bio-priming in plant disease management has been elaborately discussed in one chapter. The book is a compilation of 15 chapters written by different academicians/researchers working in the area of biocontrol of weeds and pests. It will present a holistic package of information on the recent advances in biological control of weeds, insect pests, and plant pathogens for the researchers, teachers, and students.

I convey my thanks and best wishes to the editors and the contributing authors for this significant edited work. I hope and believe that the readers will relish reading this excellent compilation on plant protection sciences.